Global – Global - Seychelles

[Opinion] The connection between corruption and entrepreneurship. "The recent study of Asian Development Bank concluded that the impact of corruption on entrepreneurship is not only statistically significant but also economically significant. For instance, the empirical results indicate that a decrease in corruption increases the entry rate of new firms." 

The Manila Times: https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/09/29/opinion/editorial/the-connection-between-corruption-and-entrepreneurship/1860213 

 

Member of European Parliament launches call for a world anti-corruption agency for sport. "It is time to change the rules of engagement, to put the autonomy of sport on a new footing and reorganize it around accountability and transparency. There is clearly a need for an independent watchdog organization with transnational reach and the power to act in cases of corruption." 

Play the game: https://www.playthegame.org/news/member-of-european-parliament-launches-call-for-a-world-anti-corruption-agency-for-sport/ 

 

IMF advises Seychelles Central Bank to improve transparency. "The Bank was advised for improved transparency practices mostly in the areas of governance and accountability arrangements, confidentiality policy, anti-money laundering / countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) supervisory policies, and internal AML/CFT controls." 

New Business Ethiopia: https://newbusinessethiopia.com/finance/imf-advises-seychelles-central-bank-to-improve-transparency/ 

Global - Hungary - Global

[Job announcement] Consultant – Future Governance: Financial Integrity. "UNDP Oslo Governance Centre is looking for an Expert to research Future Governance and Financial Integrity by preparing a background paper, the two-day workshop and discussion notes." 

UNDP: UNDP Jobs - 109328- Consultant – Future Governance: Financial Integrit 

 

Hungary's commitments to the EU on cutting corruption risks. "Hungary's government has submitted anti-corruption legislation to parliament, trying to stave off a suspension of European Union funds at a time when its economy faces a likely recession next year. And there are 17 commitments Hungary has made." 

Today Online: https://www.todayonline.com/world/hungarys-commitments-eu-cutting-corruption-risks-2003491 

 

[Blog] A global database on environmental corruption could help protect nature and society. "Corruption plays a significant role in environmental harms around the world. A global database of environmental corruption could assist anyone working to address these issues." 

U4 Anti-corruption Resource Centre: https://www.u4.no/blog/a-global-database-on-environmental-corruption-could-help-protect-nature-and-society 

Gambia – Australia – South Korea

Gambia's civil society organizations urge government and parliament to enact anti-corruption bill. "They have once again renewed their commitment by calling on the Gambia government and the National Assembly to act by enacting the Anti-corruption Bill 2019 and operationalise the Access to Information into law, to address corruption and fulfill the right to information." 

The Voice Gambia: https://www.voicegambia.com/2022/09/26/ospg-urges-govt-parliament-to-enact-anti-corruption-bill/ 

 

Australia to create national anti-corruption watchdog. "The commission will investigate serious or systemic corruption by federal government ministers, parliamentarians, political staff and employees of, or contractors to, government entities. It will have retrospective powers and be able to make findings of corruption." 

Business Times: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/australia-to-create-national-anti-corruption-watchdog 

 

Korea's anti-corruption agency to conduct a survey of approx. 240,000 citizens and public servants on the integrity level of public institutions. "The 2022 Comprehensive Integrity Assessment will be carried out in earnest to assess the integrity level of 573 public institutions." 

ACRC: https://acrc.go.kr/board.es?mid=a20301000000&bid=62&act=view&list_no=42032 

Botswana – Malawi - Uzbekistan

[Opinion] How Botswana Became One of Africa's Wealthiest Nations. "Botswana's success is closely linked to its strong political and economic institutions, which have made the Sub-Saharan country the most prosperous nation of the region." 

FEE Stories: https://fee.org/articles/how-botswana-became-one-of-africas-wealthiest-nations/ 

 

Malawi's president gets rare praise from Biden administration on the fight against corruption. "US Secretary of State said that he has embraced the agenda of fighting corruption while focusing on developing Malawi's agriculture, mining and tourism sectors." 

Nyasa Times: https://www.nyasatimes.com/chakwera-gets-rare-praise-from-biden-administration-on-the-fight-against-corruption/ 

 

On 23 September 2022, the Second International Tashkent Anti-Corruption Forum was organized by the Anti-Corruption Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan. "The Forum was attended by representatives of foreign anti-corruption authorities, ministries and authorities of the Republic of Uzbekistan, International Organizations, NGO, mass media and civil society, academic community." 

Anti-corruption Agency of Uzbekistan: https://anticorruption.uz/en/item/forum-haqida 

Also look at https://www.osce.org/project-coordinator-in-uzbekistan/526795, https://twitter.com/UNDPGAIN 

Indonesia – Malaysia - Moldova

Indonesia maintains accountability in utilizing state budget. "Finance Minister highlighted that transparency in using the state budget had resulted in good outcomes, especially for social welfare." 

Antara News: https://en.antaranews.com/news/251085/indonesia-maintains-accountability-in-utilizing-state-budget-minister 

 

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) launches digital platform for people with hearing problems to channel information on corruption. "They (the hearing impaired) can channel the information or their enquiries in the form of a recording using sign language…(and) They also don't have to worry because their identities will be kept confidential and protected under the Whistleblower Protection Act." 

The Edge Market: https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/macc-launches-digital-platform-pwds-channel-information-corruption 

 

IMF to give Moldova access to $27 mln to cope with rising costs. "The loan comes as part of a larger, $800 million package that could be disbursed to Moldova if the country improves its fiscal governance and implements, among others, anti-corruption reforms." 

Devdiscourse: https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/2187821-imf-to-give-moldova-access-to-27-mln-to-cope-with-rising-costs 

U.K. - Nigeria - U.S.

Britain to overhaul public company registry in dirty money crackdown-source. "The government is likely to introduce a new Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill to parliament on Thursday to tackle problems such as the abuse of UK registered companies by international money laundering networks and fraudsters." 

Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/britain-overhaul-public-company-registry-dirty-money-crackdown-source-2022-09-21/ 

 

Nigeria's Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to explore Tech-driven anti-corruption solutions. "What we have tried to do here today is to present ways and means where we could work and partner with ICPC to facilitate that kind of visibility, not just from a technology protection perspective, but also from a financial perspective." 

ICPC: https://icpc.gov.ng/2022/09/21/anti-corruption-fight-icpc-mastercard-to-explore-tech-driven-solutions/ 

 

[Opinion] U.S. must address its own credibility gap to be a leader on combating corruption and ensuring resources for UN SDGs. "U.S. can prove its commitment to ending the world of financial secrecy and empowering communities around the globe." 

FACT Coalition: https://thefactcoalition.org/u-s-must-address-its-own-credibility-gap-to-be-a-leader-on-combating-corruption-and-ensuring-resources-for-un-sustainable-development-goals/

Global - Global - Hungary

[Online Course] "Anti-Corruption in the Context of the 2030 Agenda" developed by UNDP and UNSSC with substantive contributions from UNODC. "Starting on 24 October 2022, this 5-week online course will offer practical examples and tools to enhance transparency, accountability, and anti-corruption in key development sectors, including health, education, and climate change. Targeting development practitioners, government officials, CSOs, youth, and the private sector actors, this course will introduce the importance of aligning national development plans with anti-corruption strategies - and shed light on emerging issues, such as COVID-19 pandemic, corruption and conflict, technology and innovation, through an anti-corruption prism." 

 

Link: Anti-Corruption in the context of the 2030 Agenda | UNSSC | United Nations System Staff College 

 

[Blog] 5 ways to improve CSO engagement in UNCAC – and to help anti-corruption catch up with human rights. "Civil society organisations (CSOs) must be more involved in global anti-corruption processes – like the UNCAC reviews – if we are to see transparency, participation and accountability." 

U4 Anti-corruption Resource Centre: https://www.u4.no/blog/5-ways-to-improve-cso-engagement-in-uncac-and-to-help-anti-corruption-catch-up-with-human-rights 

 

Hungary government submits first anti-graft bill to avoid losing EU funds. "The bill modifies legislation relating to Hungary's cooperation with the EU anti-fraud office (OLAF), ensuring that OLAF gets support from Hungarian tax authority officials in its investigations of EU-funded projects and gets access to data and documents on the scene." 

Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/hungarian-government-says-it-will-submit-first-anti-corruption-bill-monday-avoid-2022-09-19/ 

Anti-corruption online course

Global - Global - Vietnam

[Blog] Democratic principles underpin the systemic changes we need. "One important strand of UNDP's assistance to countries is to support the capacity of governments to deliver public goods and services inclusively, drawing on the opportunities provided by - but guarding against the risks of - digitalization." 

UNDP: https://www.undp.org/blog/democratic-principles-underpin-systemic-changes-we-need 

 

Anti-corruption's cutting edge: New directions in beneficial ownership transparency. "On September 7, the Brookings Institution convened in person and also streamed online a seminar to address the role of beneficial ownership transparency in combating corruption and explore ways to advance commitments." 

Brookings: https://www.brookings.edu/events/anti-corruptions-cutting-edge-new-directions-in-beneficial-ownership-transparency/ 

 

Vietnamese National Assembly Standing committee places anti-corruption situation under microscope. "The committee requested the Government to review, evaluate and fully identify the limitations and causes of the shortcomings to forecast the corruption situation and seek breakthrough solutions for effective prevention and control of corruption." 

Vietnam Plus: https://en.vietnamplus.vn/na-standing-committee-places-anticorruption-situation-under-microscope/237394.vnp 

Europe - Nigeria - South Korea

State of the Union: Six takeaways from European Commission President's keynote speech. ""If we want to be credible when we ask candidate countries to strengthen their democracies, we must also eradicate corruption at home," she said." 

Euro news: https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2022/09/14/state-of-the-european-union-six-takeaways-from-ursula-von-der-leyens-keynote-speech 

 

Senate President seeks anti-corruption law to stop illicit financial flows funding insecurity in Nigeria. "The fight against corruption and insecurity in Nigeria required the cooperation and support of all the citizens and not institutions of government alone." 

ICIR Nigeria: https://www.icirnigeria.org/senate-president-seeks-anti-corruption-law-to-stop-illicit-financial-flows-funding-insecurity-in-nigeria/ 

 

'Unfairly executed' solar power programs found in Korea. "Cases of inflating construction costs by issuing false tax invoices or building fake cultivation facilities to take out loans have come to light." 

Donga: https://www.donga.com/en/article/all/20220914/3633661/1 

Global - Qatar/Malaysia – Ghana

Transparency International Media Advisory – International Anti-Corruption Conference to be held 6-10 December. "Media accreditation for the IACC is now open. Accredited journalists will have full access to the conference, as well as the press exclusive room and daily briefings, free of charge. Apply here: https://iaccseries.org/20th-iacc/plan-your-trip/press-accreditation/" 

Transparency International: https://www.transparency.org/en/press/media-advisory-international-anti-corruption-conference-6-10-december-washington 

 

Qatar's Administrative Control and Transparency Authority (ACTA), Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Review Anti-Corruption Measures. "They reviewed the efforts of the two sides in the areas of promoting integrity and combating corruption, including the most important projects that ACTA is working on." 

MENAFN: https://menafn.com/1104853567/ACTA-Malaysian-Delegation-Review-Anti-Corruption-Measures 

 

Ghana Bar Association (GBA) calls for stringent measures to circumscribe corruption. "The chairperson urged the government to continue to bridge the technology gap within the justice delivery system through the introduction of the electronic court system, among other things, and said the increase in the number of courts would enhance access to justice." 

News Ghana: https://newsghana.com.gh/gba-calls-for-stringent-measures-to-circumscribe-corruption/ 

Global - Australia – Solomon Islands

[Publication] Dekleptification Guide - Seizing Windows of Opportunity to Dismantle Kleptocracy. "It also aims to set the agenda for the broader community of donors, implementing partners, scholars, and other experts focused on countering kleptocracy and strategic corruption." 

USAID (US Agency for International Development): https://www.usaid.gov/anti-corruption/dekleptification 

 

Australia's parliament push for in-depth integrity debate. "Legislation to establish a national anti-corruption commission will be introduced during the next sitting week at the end of September." 

Perth Now: https://www.perthnow.com.au/politics/mps-push-for-in-depth-integrity-debate-c-8211335 

 

Strengthening Inter-institutional Anti-corruption Coordination in Solomon Islands. "Organized by UNDP Pacific, more than 50 representatives from oversight and integrity institutions gathered to identify and build consensus on possible areas of intra-institutional cooperation related to exchange and use of information and other issues." 

Solomon Times: https://www.solomontimes.com/feature/strengthening-interinstitutional-anticorruption-coordination-in-solomon-islands/738 

Global - Philippines – Namibia

[Blog] 7 ways to keep the momentum behind anti-corruption reforms. "Sustained momentum is the key to successful reform. Our discussion generated seven key lessons that can help guide practitioners to keep momentum going." 

U4 Anti-corruption Resource Centre: https://www.u4.no/blog/7-ways-to-keep-the-momentum-behind-anti-corruption-reforms 

 

Philippines rejoins transparency initiative on mining. "The Marcos government has re-engaged with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), which prescribes a standard for transparency and accountability in the mining, oil and gas industries." 

Philstar Global: https://www.philstar.com/business/2022/09/10/2208577/philippines-rejoins-transparency-initiative-mining 

 

Namibia's Prime Minister said every individual has a role to play in the fight against corruption. "Corruption is our common enemy which, if not tackled decisively, may destroy gains Namibia has thus far made, as well as future development prospects, said during the opening of the Anti-Corruption Commission's National Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan for 2021-2025." 

New Era Live: https://neweralive.na/posts/fighting-corruption-is-everyones-business 

Global - Hungary - Ukraine

[Publication] International Federation for Accountants (IFAC)'s Action Plan for Fighting Corruption and Economic Crime. "The action plan provides a framework for how we can enhance the accountancy profession's role in combating corruption and economic crimes, thereby advancing the UN SDGs." 

IFAC: https://www.ifac.org/knowledge-gateway/building-trust-ethics/publications/ifacs-action-plan-fighting-corruption-and-economic-crime 

 

Hungary to set up anti-corruption agency to unlock EU funds. "The agency will be tasked with stepping in when it deems national authorities have not acted sufficiently to prevent or investigate cases of fraud, corruption, conflicts of interest and other violations, according to the decree." 

Seattle PI: https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Hungary-to-set-up-anti-corruption-agency-to-17421922.php 

 

Ukraine's Anti-corruption Agencies Focus on Embezzlement at energy company. "The newly-appointed prosecutor of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) has begun to act and show results – SAP and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) reveled 8 suspects in $370 million losses." 

KYIV Post: https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/anti-corruption-agencies-focus-on-embezzlement-at-energy-company.html 

Nigeria - Qatar - Malaysia

Technology Key to Curbing Corruption, Illicit Financial Flows identified by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Nigeria. "In the past three years, the commission has invested in technology to enhance its forensic capability and trained staff in digital documents analysis, handwriting analysis, polygraphic technology, and sundry skills." 

This Day Live: https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/09/05/icpc-technology-key-to-curbing-corruption-illicit-financial-flows-2/ 

 

Qatar leading in fight against fraud, corruption in Arab region, claimed by the Chair of the Qatar Association of Certified Public Accountants (QCPA). "Also, with the hosting of the World Cup and the entry of large numbers of visitors, the QCPA believes in its social responsibility and the need to increase societal awareness in the face of crime." 

The Peninsula: https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/05/09/2022/qatar-leading-in-fight-against-fraud-corruption-in-arab-region 

 

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is partnering with the Anti-Corruption Student Group. "The partnership was necessary to ensure more than one million students at the public higher education institutions, private higher education institutes, polytechnics and those at community colleges aware of the crime." 

New Straits Times: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2022/08/820276/macc-working-amar-spread-anti-corruption-message 

Global - Global - Global

[Open Online Course] UNESCO Massive Open Online Course: Access to Information Laws and Policies and their Implementation. "This course, developed by the Centre for Law and Democracy (CLD) and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), is an introduction to the right to access information held by public authorities." 

UNESCO: https://unesco-ati-mooc.thinkific.com/courses/unesco-massive-open-online-course-access-to-information-laws-and-policies-and-their-implementation 

 

[Blog] Goodbye government, hello corruption. "Bad politics and corruption are ideally addressed together. Doing so is not expensive compared to the budgets wasted if these problems go unchecked." 

U4 Research Centre: https://www.u4.no/blog/goodbye-government-hello-corruption 

 

[Opinion] Transnational organized crime: A threat to global public goods. "UN has found that an estimated $1.6 trillion, or 2.7 per cent of global GDP, is laundered annually. And according to the World Bank, $1 trillion per year is used to bribe public officials. To put these figures in context, the total official development assistance going to developing countries in 2020 was only $194 billion." 

Sipri (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute): https://www.sipri.org/commentary/topical-backgrounder/2022/transnational-organized-crime-threat-global-public-goods